Mid-semester break not strike-induced, says OAU

The warning strike embarked upon by the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, OsunState, has culminated into full-blown industrial action forcingthe university’s management to shut the institution.

However, the school’s management says the closure was unconnected with the industrial action, adding that students were only asked to commence a “mid-semester break” to enable them observe the forthcoming Sallah marking the end of Ramadan fast.

Chairman of NASU, OAU Chapter, Comrade Wole Olawumi, said recently that members had declared an indefinite strike until the university’s management was able to pay their 64-month hazard allowance.

When The Guardian visited the school recently, all entrances leading into the institution were locked by the strikingworkers. And some students were also seen vacating the university campus with their luggages.

The school’s management had asked students to vacate theuniversity after its emergency senate meeting last Sunday.It was learnt that the closure, which the school tagged “mid-semester break” was forced by the indefinite strike by NASU.

Sources said authorities of the school were forced to send the students home due to continuous protests and shut down of facilities in the university by the union.

It would be recalled that the workers, who started with awarning strike penultimate Wednesday, alleged that they have not been paid their hazard allowances for about 64 months.

During the protests, the aggrieved workers shut down the school entrances and other facilities, including the university’s Senate Building and library.

According to the public relations officer (PRO) of the institution, Biodun Olarewaju, the mid-semester break at the instance of the school’s management was to enable the students enjoy the Muslim festival marking the end of the ongoing Ramadan festival.